The Handley Page HP.14, also designated Handley Page R/200 was a prototype British naval reconnaissance aircraft of World War I, capable of operating from the decks of the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers or as a floatplane. Only three were built, the Parnall Panther being preferred.

HP.14 / Type R/200
Role Carrier Based Reconnaissance Aircraft
Manufacturer Handley Page
First flight 1917
Status Prototype
Number built 3

Design and development

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The R/200 was designed in 1917 to meet an Admiralty requirement for a two-seat reconnaissance fighter capable of operating either as a floatplane or from the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers, the flush deck HMS Argus and the partly converted cruiser HMS Furious. The R/200 was a small single-bay biplane powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) geared Hispano-Suiza 8 V-8 engine with a frontal radiator. Handley Page received an order for six prototypes in summer 1917.[1]

The first two prototypes, fitted with floats were flown in December 1917, with the third prototype, fitted with a wheeled undercarriage flying in February 1918. Test results were poorer than the competing Parnall Panther, and as Handley Page was concentrating on production and development of the O/400 and V/1500 heavy bombers, the remaining three prototypes, together with a prospective production order for 20 aircraft were cancelled in March 1918.[2]

Specifications (R/200) (landplane)

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Data from Handley Page Aircraft Since 1907 [3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 25 ft 6 in (7.77 m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
  • Height: 10 ft 9.5 in (3.289 m) [4]
  • Wing area: 390 sq ft (36 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,882 lb (854 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,990 lb (1,356 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 8B V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 200 hp (150 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h, 83 kn) at 6,500 ft (1,981 m)[4]
  • Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
  • Time to altitude: 10,000 ft (3,048 m) in 29 minutes 30 seconds[4]
  • Wing loading: 7.67 lb/sq ft (37.4 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 0.067 hp/lb (0.110 kW/kg)

Armament

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ Barnes 1976, pp. 117–118.
  2. ^ Barnes 1976, pp. 120–121.
  3. ^ Barnes 1976, p.121.
  4. ^ a b c Bruce 1957, p. 280.
  • Barnes, C. H. Handley Page Aircraft Since 1907. London: Putnam, 1976. ISBN 0-370-00030-7.
  • Bruce, J.M. British Aeroplanes 1914–18. London:Putnam, 1957.
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